High school basketball is now on a fast break on both sides of the river. Teams from the Metro East and St. Louis have posted high marks in respective state rankings, and college recruiters and coaches are fixated on the talent the region turns out each season.
Here are some of the top boys players to watch during the 2024-25 season.
Scottie Adkinson (Webster Groves): The 6’3” sophomore is one of the top young players in the state of Missouri. He is averaging 20 points a game early in the season.
Brandon Clemens (MICDS): A 6’1” guard who has been one of the top players in the Metro League since his freshman season. He is a talented offensive player.
Quinton Coleman (Principia): The 6’2” junior guard has emerged as a prime prospect with his athleticism and ability to score at all three levels.
Zyree Collins (St. Mary’s): A 6’0” senior guard who is one of the premier players in the state. He averaged 31 points a game as a junior and he is currently averaging more than 35 points this season.
Jimmy McKinney III (Vashon): A 6’2” sophomore guard who is one of the top young prospects in the state. He is the son of former Vashon star and current Wolverines head coach Jimmy McKinney.
Abraham Nayou (Maplewood): A 6’1” junior guard who is entering his third year as a starter. He is currently averaging 29 points a game to start the season. He recently scored his 1,000th career point.
Sheek Pearson (John Burroughs): A 6’11” junior forward who is one of the top big man prospects in the state. He has already received numerous Power 4 scholarship offers.
Tristan Reed (John Burroughs): A 6’9” junior forward who is a powerful force around the basket as a scorer and rebounder. He helped lead the Bombers to the Class 4 state championship game last season.
Semaj Stampley (Alton): A talented junior guard who is averaging nearly 20 points a game in leading the Redbirds to a 7-1 start to the season.
Trey Williams (Vashon): A 6’2” senior guard who has been one of the top players during the Wolverines recent run of Class 4 state championships. The talented sharpshooter has signed with Missouri State.
Luke Walsh (Vianney): The 6’2” senior guard has enjoyed a record-setting career for the Golden Griffins. The Southern Illinois recruit came out the gate averaging close to 40 points a game, including a 50-point performance against CBC.
Jahidi White Jr. (Chaminade) A 6’8” junior forward who is the son of former Cardinal Ritter standout and NBA player Jahidi White. He is a force inside with his strength and athleticism. He has received several Division I scholarship offers.
Jamison White (Chaminade): A 6’8” junior forward who is also the son of Jahidi White and an excellent Division I prospect with multiple Division I offers. He and his brother helped the Red Devils
Earl’s World
Rickey Henderson, among the best ever to play Major League Baseball, and certainly the game’s best leadoff batter, passed away on Friday December 20, 2024 at the age of 65. Henderson was a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and retired holding MLB’s all-time ((1,406) and single season (130) stolen base records…St. Louisan Jayson Tatum joined Larry Bird in the Boston Celtics record book last Saturday night with a 43-point, 16-rebound, 10-assist triple double in a 123-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Bird is the only other Celtic to record a 40-point triple-double, and he had recorded three such games during his Hall of Fame career…The St. Louis area was represented well during the College Football Playoffs last weekend. Former CBC standout Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame rushed for 108 yards and scored on a 98-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of the Irish’s 27-17 victory over Indiana. Former SLUH standout Ryan Wingo of Texas caught two passes for 23 yards in the Longhorns’ victory over Clemson…The Visitation Christmas Tournament is celebrating its 50th year as the top girls holiday event in the state of Missouri.
Go, Abraham! New average is 30 points per game!